Council considers zoning ordinance changes

The Sundance Council is almost ready to institute franchise fees within city limits for utility companies that wish to make use of city rights-of-way. The agreements are ready to be sent out, said City Attorney Mark Hughes at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Hughes asked if the council would like to send them out to the affected companies for comment: Range, Visionary, PRECorp and Sundance Cable TV. Each would be asked to pay 2% of their gross revenue within city limits to the city.

Mayor Paul Brooks asked Hughes to send them out and requested that the council review the agreements too. Final discussion will be held at next month’s meeting.

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Fire Chief Gari Gill brought a concern to the council’s attention: the county is no longer purchasing fuel for the city’s fire trucks. This has been done for the last 30 years, he said, on the basis that many of the incidents that the city crew responds to are outside of city limits.

Three out-of-town fires have taken place over the last month, for example. However, the county fire department is no longer willing to assist the Sundance volunteers by covering their fuel for these fires.

“Don’t we have a mutual aid agreement with the county?” asked Mayor Paul Brooks.

As it does not appear that there is a current written agreement in place, the matter will be investigated further.

Discussion was also held on creating an ordinance that will address changes to the city’s zoning rules. For example, it would include changes to the allowable height of fences; ban billboard signs from certain parts of town; and only allow shipping containers and portable storage units as permanent structures in the industrial zone.

A motion was made to be in accordance with the recommendation given by the city’s Land Use Planning Commission. Hughes was directed to create an ordinance to match the suggested changes.

Steve Lenz visited the council on behalf of the George & Betty White Foundation to share that White’s Memorial Park will be opening on Memorial Day.

“We’ve been working on this now for nearly two years, looking forward to having crowds come and enjoy the space,” he said. The park includes opportunities for hiking, biking, trails and open space for families to enjoy.

Public Works Director Mac Erickson reported that the new Sundance West water tank is up, loose ends are being tied and the line would be cut over on May 12. Meanwhile, said Karla Greaser of Trihydro, a pre-bid meeting was held for the Sundance Kid water tank project early this month and bids will be opened on May 18.

When questioned as to whether the location has been investigated as a protected nesting site, which could impact the city’s ability to construct, Greaser confirmed that, “I think we’re all clear on that front.”

Regarding the Sundance Square project, Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz presented a change order for $2288.90 to purchase sod for the new park, which is reportedly coming along nicely.

The city’s 2021 budget also received its second reading. “It is positive now,” said Lenz, confirming the work that has been done to ensure the budget balances.

It could become even more positive now that the State of Wyoming is an estimated $71 million ahead of where it expected to be, according to the most recent CREG report, commented Brooks.